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Jan 30, 2010

GETTING BACK AT IT

When you have a questions you go to the experts right? I am going to pick your brains here today.
I am planning on re-entering the work force, full time. I have had jobs in the past that I interviewed for but not for many years. I have done a few different jobs in the more recent years but they were jobs that I didn't have to interview for. Jobs where basically I answered to myself.
We owned our own business for years and I went in to the office for a while and also worked from home for the company. I have painted and sold my art. I have done contract work for a company. I have given computer lessons.
I interviewed yesterday for a job and it went really well in my opinion. Now I will have to meet with an employment company that actually does the hiring. Having never done this before I am wondering if any of you have and what you can tell me about the process. I like to be prepared. Maybe I should be a boy scout.

Secondly how do you manage to keep up with your blogging duties while working full time or even part time? I am a pretty committed blogger (or should be committed, I can never remember which) so I know I will have to cut back somewhere. My paid job will have to come first before blogging. My kids are adults so they don't take my time. My husband is very independent and can take care of himself. He is often out of town too so I have lots of blogging time. But still as I envision my days I do wonder how you ladies do such a great job with your blog life and your RL (real life)?

20 comments:

I've always found the employment agency interviews are easy. It's interviewing with the actual employer that I always dread. I suppose the agency will want you to take various tests, unless you already did that. My current employer only advertises via the Net and you apply through their online process. I found the interview process easy enough as it was more practical than theory ie: they threw you onto the shop floor with a list of tasks and evaluated how you performed. I think all job openings should be along that line.

As for blogging, my philosophy has always been "blogging without obligation". Unless you make money from your blog, in which case it seems to become a full time job in itself, I'm sure your followers will understand you won't be posting as frequently.

I haven't held a job since I started blogging so I don't think I can help you there, Lori. I have a lot on my plate, though in running my home so I find that I am always juggling chores and errands with my "Me" time. I like the commenter who said she did several posts and scheduled them. That sounds like a winning strategy.

No matter what type of interview you have and with whom, I think it is important to look 'put together'...A suit or skirt and blouse, make~up, tamed hair (in my case), a nice purse and brief case if you have one, panty hose...I think all of these things give you a professional look and make you look capable of handling the job. Frivolous? Not for the interview.

On FT job and blogging - I just blog when I can. If it is a big subject/longer post, I start on it a few days ahead and add/tweak a bit each day, then post it, and I don't agonize or look back after i do. Longer/more serious posts are interspersed with shorter posts that don't take as much time. I never worry about not posting. That's about it. Maybe keep something with you at lunch time and other odd "spare moments" so that if you get an idea for a post you can jot it down. You have so many great ideas I don't think you'll have to worry much.

I have absolutely no idea what the interview process will be like, I've worked for the same employer for 25 years - crap, that's half my life! I can tell you what I look for in a potential employee - firm handshake, looks me in the eye, interjects some personal info (but not TOO much), NO DAMN CELL PHONE OUT WHERE I CAN SEE/HEAR IT (sorry, pet peeve). And most importantly, a sense of humor. In which case, you'll ace it! As for blogging, I'm a firm believer in lining up "pre scheduled" posts during times when I know it's going to be nuts at work. And the photography meme's are great for busy times, not alot of writing needed. Good luck and let us know how it goes. Kathy

It's hard to do sometimes Lori. I often feel badly because I can't stop by and visit or comment on all the blogs and bloggers I love. I just don't have time.

I do all my writing for the next day first thing in the morning before work. So for example, my first draft of my blog for Friday is written Thursday morning. After work, I proofread and edit. It's become like second nature in my life and part of the routine.

When I have time, I visit my favourite friends and bloggers. One thing that is very important to me is that I'm actually reading the blogs I leave comments on. If I don't have time, I never skim a blog. I don't think that's fair to the blogger.

If you get a routine going it seems to work well. One thing I know for sure is that when I'm not blogging I really miss it as it adds so much to my life.

Hi LoriI work a 30 hour week, and tend to post as we do stuff - usually withing a few minutes of getting home.... to me my blog started out as being a diary to look back on in years to come, and it just sort of evolved, and I met some great friends through it. Sometimes it can be hard to respond immediately - I tend to publish any comments as soon as I get them, and post a short reply against my own post for that person, and when I have a few spare minutes, I then go back and catch up on their blogs and respond in person.... hopefully I don't forget anyone, although I am sure that sometimes it does happen, but everyone has a busy lifestyle and I'm sure as bloggers themselves they all understand that real life can get in the way at the most inconvenient times LOL.Just enjoy your new job, make new friends and most of all have fun- but don't stress about your blog - at the end of the day, our dashboards show us if you have posted, and then we can get excited and read what you have been up too.Take care Jo x

My best hint for the Blog is to have a few posts ahead so that on those pooped days from your job, you just click one and hit post. I keep retiring and going back to work too and I hate the question: "Tell us about an incident where you went above and beyond... yada yada yada?"You just know the answer will be wrong!

Best of luck Lori - I through periods of time when I can blog and periods where it is hard to fit it in...As long as I touch base from time to time with my main peeps - I just have to be o.k. with it - I know I have been away too long when I get that crafty itch feeling - then watch out, LOL ! Boy, I remember finding a different job a little over a year ago...I googled the most often interview questions then made index cards - which I practiced - I got three interviews from three different companies and felt really good after each one....I got a great job and feel very fortunate !Sending great thoughts and prayers your way !Kammy

I think it is very difficult to keep up your blog when working full time. I do the best if I blog in the morning before work. If it waits until I get home at night I am just too darn tired and put it off and of course it never gets done.

When we were finishing up our remodel my blog was down to 1 post per week and it was a struggle for me to get that done. It wasn't the cooking or the photos but writing the post is what I just could not find the time. But I had to set priorities and going through another winter under construction was just something I was going to do!

I have no advice for you, sorry. I read the comments to see if I could get some easy answers to working and blogging myself, lol.

I work at home and my schedule is erratic to put it mildly. I have been trying to schedule some postings ahead of time, but a lot of my posts require a lot of research and planning.

My biggest problem is getting around to all the blogs I love to read, I hate going and just leaving a quick — great post, great photos or looks yummy. I really like leaving something more interesting and thought out and that is time-consuming, but its how I like to blog. No easy answers.